Nothing goes better with an evening of binge watching your favorite show than a bowl of hot popcorn. Microwaveable bags have become the default process by which most folks enjoy this time-honored treat, but there are better ways to get the complete theater experience. Countertop poppers produce fresher, better-tasting popcorn with fewer un-popped kernels, and they make it easy to serve this healthy, high-fiber snack exactly the way you want it. Here are a few types of home poppers to consider.
The time-honored method of popping kernels in hot oil produces some of the best-tasting popcorn possible. Kernels cooking in hot oil are moister than other methods. However, it is critical to use the correct ratio of oil; otherwise your popcorn could become soggy.
For health-conscious snacking, a hot-air popcorn popper can’t be beat. It eliminates high-calorie oil and leaves it up to you how much to season or butter each batch. However, some users find that hot-air poppers produce more of a bland taste that must be well seasoned to compete with the flavor of oil-popped kernels.
Microwaving offers convenience, taste, and texture, but it doesn’t have to be limited to pre-packaged popping bags. A microwaveable popping bowl allows you to use the kernel brand of your choice, and the popping container can also double as the serving tray. To save counter space, look for a microwave popper made of food-grade silicone, which will also be dishwasher safe and collapsible for easy storage.